Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Obama Administration's Regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein, has an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal touting the Administration's newfound interest in eliminating unnecessary regulation. This is welcome, because if Administration officials talk enough about reducing unnecessary regulations – regulations for which the costs outweigh the , they may start believing it actually needs to be done. And, to his credit, OIRA Administrator Sunstein seems intent on following through.

Over at the FCC, Chairman Genachowski, following the Administration's lead, is also talking about eliminating unnecessary regulations. In other words, he's talking the talk. Just yesterday, the FCC announced in a news release its intent to eliminate 83 outdated rules. They include the Fairness Doctrine rule, which hasn't been enforced for a quarter-century, and others, like the "broadcast flag" rule, which have not been subject to enforcement for years.

All well and good to get outdated rules off the books that have no practical effect. It will make the CFR books thinner.

But when the FCC starts eliminating outdated rules that are still being enforced, and, therefore, which do impose ongoing unnecessary burdens, then we'll know that Mr. Genachowski is actually walking the walk, not just talking the talk.